Statistics  Difficulty: 1.5     Route Finding: 1   Distance One Way 5.75 miles  Trailhead Elevation 2100 feet  Elevation Gain 0 feet  Avg Time One Way 2.5 Hours Author Fritzski  Descriptions: 44  Routes: 0  Photos: 593  Trips: 58   (128 Miles)  Age: 56     Gender:  Location: Gilbert, AZ HAZ Member Photos  Photos         Date Member 8  03-07-2009  snakemarks 20  03-07-2009  tibber 10  01-31-2009  charlieaz 6  11-29-2008  SparkyJackie 13  03-29-2008  kenandjude 4  03-22-2008  davidanthony 5  03-18-2008  Kyle Malkin 4  03-14-2008  alexandy 4  02-13-2008  alexandy 14  12-05-2007  OhOh7 10  11-24-2007  kenandjude 7  12-09-2006  OhOh7 9  02-01-2006  Wuerfele 5  05-17-2005  listen2him 23  04-04-2005  winecrock 5  10-11-2003  ajcanable Page:  1,  2   Photosets Rated Viewed

Superstitions SW  Forest  Tonto Backpack - Connecting Only Seasons - Autumn to Spring GPS Routes Post one Now! Expand Map Street Terrain Topo Fauna  Costa's Hummingbird    Desert Tortoise    Gila Monster   Flora  Brittlebush    Chuparosa    Desert Chicory    Fairy Duster    Ocotillo    Saguaro    Teddy Bear Cholla    Tidytips Nearby Hikes Springs Direct Air Miles Away to Trailhead 0 •  Hieroglyphics Trail 0.1 •  Superstition Mnts - SW / Hierogylphic Canyon 0 •  Superstition Peak Loop via Hiero 1 •  Lost Goldmine#60 - Cloudview to Jacobs#58 1.6 •  Hog Canyon [ View More! ]       [ View Springs! ]

This trail connects the Hieroglyph and Peralta trailheads. Christened the “Lost Goldmine Trail” (see notes #1) in the spring of 2001, it was the result of the hard work of volunteers under the direction of the Superstition Land Trust organization. There is now a seamless connection between the Peralta and Dutchman State Park trailheads with the new Lost Goldmine trail eventually extending westward to meet Jacob’s Crosscut trail in the vicinity of the Broadway trailhead.

Despite its young age, this pleasant, gentle trail through the Superstition foothills is already quite popular as we saw many other hikers on a weekday afternoon. It is relatively flat and generally follows the contours of the terrain, remaining just outside of the Wilderness Area boundary, which is easily seen by the barbed wire fence. Because of this, the trail is also open to mountain bikes, although I saw none or any tracks on the day I went.

There are brand new trail signs posted at either end of the trail and for my description we will begin from the Hieroglyph end. From the parking lot at the east end of Cloudview Rd. you head out east on the Hieroglyphic Trail for no more than a quarter mile till you come to the Lost Goldmine Trail intersection on top of a low ridge. From there you drop off the east side of the ridge and head north until you come to the W.A. boundary where you then start heading east along the south side of the fence.

There are two prominent hills ahead of you that will require skirting around the bases to the south. Between the two you will cross a large bare rock drainage that still had spots of water despite the very dry conditions. Shortly thereafter you will come to a surprising jeep trail that appears well used and crosses the trail coming from the south and heads straight into the valley between the hills extending all the way back to the boundary. In this large canyon is a very large and prominent cave/alcove high upon the south face, which can be easily seen from the trail.

Continuing on, you finish rounding hill “2822” and once again continue to follow the boundary. Along the way you will encounter the remains of an old water retention dam. I am continually amazed by the number of such structures one encounters in the Superstitions that now appear permanently dry. Could this be due to a recent geological change in the area or possibly a change in weather patterns? I don’t know the answer, but have been informed that the underground water table in the valley is not a factor.